5 Reasons to Give Locally in the Gallatin Valley

We talk so much about supporting our local economy in Montana by shopping downtown and purchasing delicious goods from the Farmers Market on the weekends. For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $73 remains in the local economy, and $27 leaves. Compare that to the same $100 spent at a non-locally owned business, where $43 remains in the local economy and $57 leaves. (http://www.civiceconomics.com/)

Shopping locally is powerful. Buying locally supports our local economy and ensures that we’re reinvesting in our community. As we see it at the Bozeman Area Community Foundation, when it comes to giving back in the Gallatin Valley, there is not much of a difference between shopping locally at our local Farmer’s Market and investing in local nonprofits.

“If we embrace the concept of supporting our local economy, why do so many of our charitable dollars go to national and international causes? Perhaps the media attention these causes receive raises our awareness. Perhaps, the scope of need captures our attention. Local causes can be hard to find but, when we do, our gifts can make a tremendous impact, an impact we can witness firsthand.

Here are five additional reasons to ‘give locally’:

The confidence of knowing where and how the dollars will be used. When giving our charitable dollars, we need to be confident our money is going to a trusted source. When we give locally, we receive the confidence of knowing where and how the dollars are being spent. Local non-profits understand and embrace the interests, values, and needs of the community and are given the responsibility of ensuring these needs are met. They often have fewer layers of administration, allowing for more of your dollars to go toward the service the nonprofit provides. Whether giving locally or not, always remember to research the organization before donating.

Giving locally allows us to see firsthand how our gifts are being put to work. The work being done impacts the place where we live, allowing us to visit sites and talk directly with people who are impacted. We see this effect vividly when we give locally through volunteer work. Through volunteering, it is possible to see an immediate and direct impact of our work.

Investing in local nonprofits also has a positive economic impact. Local nonprofits employ members of the community. They buy goods and services and contribute in many ways. We are all part of a larger community and make an impact on each other.

Local nonprofitsencourage us to use our face to face skills. In today’s digital world, it is easy to hide behind a screen, never taking the time to see what happens to our dollars after they are donated. Every day, the local organizations that improve our community depend on cooperation, trust, collaboration, selflessness, and empathy from the people they work with, including their donors. The key to their success requires them to engage with the community members who support them.

By supporting local charities, you contribute to the growth and improvement of the place you spend the most time in the world. The communities we live in impact our lives more than any other place in the world. It is where our families bond and learn values, where we shop to provide our basic needs and indulge in activities to entertain ourselves and pursue personal growth. Our communities provide a large portion of our network and relationships. By giving to the place that provides so much for our daily life, we are investing in a better quality of life for ourselves and others.

Choosing to support your local community has lots of positive benefits, many which you are sure to see and experience firsthand. In the end, giving locally improves our quality of life and helps build a stronger local community.”

– See more at: http://yourfoundation.org/blog/posts/5-reasons-give-locally#sthash.x1ekzZ5k.dpuf

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Our Mission

Bozeman Area Community Foundation’s mission is to strengthen communities and inspire greater giving by
investing charitable assets for today and tomorrow; connecting donors with effective organizations, ideas, and causes that matter; and leading and collaborating on important public issues. Read more »